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• Assassin's Creed Shadows' global release timings have been revealed
• It's also available to preload now on Xbox Series X|S
• The game will take up roughly 107GB of space on console

Ubisoft has revealed the global release times for Assassin's Creed Shadows and, if you have the game pre-ordered, you're now able to preload it ahead of launch if you're on Xbox Series X|S.

The official Assassin's Creed account on X / Twitter uploaded the upcoming game's global release timings as a handy image, and while it shows that preloading is available now on Xbox consoles, folks on other systems will need to wait a bit. For PS5, it'll be March 18 at midnight (local time), and on PC, players can begin preloading on March 17 at 4pm UTC.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

In the US, Shadows will be available to play from March 19 at 9pm PDT / March 20 at 12am EDT on Steam. For consoles, it's March 20 at 12am PDT / 12am EDT, meaning folks on the East Coast should be able to play it a little earlier on Xbox and PS5.

For the UK, it's March 20 at 4am GMT on Steam and midnight GMT on consoles. But if you're planning on burning that midnight oil, it'll actually be available via Ubisoft Connect on PC slightly earlier on March 19 at 10pm GMT.

Lastly, if you're preloading Assassin's Creed Shadows today on Xbox Series consoles, make sure you've got a hefty chunk of space reserved either on the system or on one of the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs. That's because it's going to take up around 107.77GB (thanks, Eurogamer). But hey, if your download speeds aren't the best, at least there's plenty of time to get it prepped and ready to go on your console for day one.

We're definitely keen to check out the full game for ourselves this month. TRG's managing editor, Rob Dwiar, recently spent six hours with Assassin's Creed Shadows and came away with very positive impressions.

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• Google’s AI Overview is now powered by Gemini 2.0
• Google’s new experimental AI Mode offers reasoning and follow-up responses in search
• Unlike traditional search, AI Mode actively synthesizes information from multiple sources

Google is doubling down on bring AI to Search with an expansion to its AI Overviews and new experimental AI Mode. In Google's ideal world, you would basically never leave the search engine and it would handle a lot of that pesky thinking on your behalf. On the other hand, there would be fewer open tabs giving you anxiety.

Overviewing AI

AI Overviews have already become a familiar sight for many users, appearing at the top of search results with neatly summarized answers to big questions. Now, with Gemini 2.0 behind the wheel, Google claims these overviews will be faster, more detailed, and capable of handling trickier queries in areas like coding, advanced math, and multimodal reasoning. In other words, if you were relying on Reddit and Stack Overflow to explain why your Python script keeps throwing an error, Google wants you to ask it instead.

Google claims there are a lot of fans who want to see AI even more embedded in their online searches. That's what led to the creation of AI Mode. Currently in an experimental mode in Labs. AI Mode aims to bring better reasoning and more immediate analysis to your online time. AI Mode won’t just spit out a quick answer to your query. It will actively break down complex topics, compare multiple options, and pull from online sources to provide more nuanced responses. AI Mode should help prevent you from going from a simple search for a new toothpaste to spending 30 minutes on Wikipedia learning about the history of medieval dentistry.

Let’s say you’re trying to figure out the best way to track your eating habits. A regular Google search might give you a mix of ads, product reviews, and a few scientific studies buried somewhere on page two. AI Mode, on the other hand, can analyze the pros and cons of different apps, smart wearables, and AI-enhanced scales in a single response, summarizing the key features and limitations; even pulling in fresh user reviews. If you need more details, you can ask a follow-up question like, “How does eating late at night impact heart rate?” and get an instant, well-researched answer without having to piece it together from five different websites.

AI internet

This shift isn’t happening in a vacuum. AI-powered search has been heating up, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search and Perplexity AI both offering their own takes on AI-assisted browsing. ChatGPT Search integrates OpenAI’s conversational abilities with web access, but it can still struggle with sourcing real-time information. Perplexity AI, meanwhile, prides itself on transparency, always citing sources alongside its answers. Google, being Google, wants to combine deep AI reasoning with its long history of crawling and ranking the web.

Of course, any time AI takes a bigger role in search, there are questions. Will AI Mode and AI Overviews make it harder for small content creators to get traffic if Google keeps more users within its own ecosystem? What biases will even more complex synthesized answers introduce? Google insists that human oversight and ranking systems are still in play, but the company also acknowledges that AI is a work in progress. There’s a fine line between an AI-powered search assistant and an all-knowing gatekeeper that decides what’s “true” before you even click a link.

Beyond the potential pitfalls, AI Mode represents a shift in online research from passive to dynamic. It moves the burden of crafting the right query, clicking through results, and assembling information from different sources from you to the AI. Faster answers, smarter suggestions, and less time wasted on irrelevant links is a tempting proposition. But how good can it actually be compared to you putting little thought into it? AI Mode may as well be called Lazy Mode. Will you still bother clicking through to the long-form articles, deep-dive blog posts, or thoughtful articles on tech news websites for context and nuance beyond an AI summary at this level?

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Full spoilers follow for Invincible season 3 episode 7.

Well, I warned you that Invincible season 3 episode 6's mid-credits scene confirmed that what would follow was an absolute bloodbath.

To be frank, I'm a long-time Invincible fan, so I knew what was coming long before season 3's penultimate episode, titled 'What I Have Done?', which arrived today (March 6). Nevertheless, the show's depiction of The Invincible War, aka the near-world-ending event that's been teased since Invincible season 3 started on February 6, is even more soul-shattering than its comic-book counterpart. And, as we sift through the wreckage of this destruction-laden entry, I suspect you've got questions about what transpired.

Want to know who voices Conquest? Need more information about those enigmatic figures working with Angstrom Levy? Or are you hoping against hope that those two characters didn't actually die? I'll answer those queries and more in this article, so make sure you're caught up as full spoilers immediately follow for episode 7.

How do Rex Splode and Darkwing die in Invincible season 3 episode 7?

Redemption for Darkwing! (Image credit: Prime Video)

There are plenty of heroes who die in this episode. After all, Angstrom Levy unleashes 18 multiversal variants of Mark Grayson/Invincible on the Earth that the titular character – from now on, I'll call him Invincible Prime to spare any confusion – inhabits. They're all as powerful, not to mention more cruel, than Invincible Prime, too, so they quickly lay waste to his home world. Remember, Angstrom promised that, in return for them decimating Invincible Prime's planet and ruining Mark's life, he'd help these variants to conquer other universes, which is why they agree to aid Mark's arch-nemesis.

There are two major character deaths that matter more than most in 'What Have I Done?', though. Darkwing is the first of those, with the Batman-inspired hero sacrificing himself to save his fellow Guardians of the Globe by stranding one of Invincible's variants – and himself – in the Shadow-Verse. This realm is not only devoid of light, but also inhabited by terrifying creatures who prey on anything that enters their domain. It's safe to assume, then, that Darkwing and this version of Invincible are no more.

I'm not crying, you are... *sniff* (Image credit: Prime Video)

Episode 7's most soul-destroying demise, however, is reserved for one of the best Prime Video shows' most developed characters: Rex Splode.

I already knew he wasn't long for this world. Indeed, Invincible season 3 episode 5's sweet scene between Rex and Rae foreshadowed this (nobody in Invincible can have nice things!). At least Rex's sacrifice was a noble one, with the kinetic energy-based superhero using his own skeleton in a Hail Mary move to kill the Invincible variant who attacks the Teen Team's base and almost murders Rudy/Robot, Monster Girl, and Bulletproof.

It's the same way that Rex bows out in the source material, but Amazon's adaptation makes his death even more heart-breaking. He's enjoyed more airtime and character growth in Invincible's TV adaptation than he does in the graphic novels. Rex's character evolution from a wisecracking womanizer to heroic martyr in the hit animated series, then, has been one of its biggest triumphs. It's just incredibly sad that we'll never see him, nor hear Jason Mantzoukas' terrific take on the character, again. *sniff*

Who is Conquest? And who voices him in Invincible season 3?

Wait, is that Jeffrey Dean Morgan's voice!? (Image credit: Prime Video)

I'll answer the latter first as it's the easiest question to, well, answer: it's Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

The Walking Dead alumnus was first linked with a role in Invincible in early 2023. However, ahead of Invincible season 2 part 1's release, Robert Kirkman, co-creator of Invincible's comic book series and its TV namesake, told me that he was "going to disappoint people" by saying Morgan wouldn't voice someone in season 2. It's now clear that he was going to play Conquest in season 3, so I guess Kirkman can say he didn't actually lie to our faces.

Anyway, who is Conquest? In the comics, he's not only a high-ranking Viltrum Empire warrior, but also the second-most powerful of them all. The superpowered humanoid race's autocratic leader Grand Regent Thragg is the only one who's more formidable than Conquest, which means the latter is even scarier than Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man. Oh, and he's been sent to Earth to see if Mark/Invincible Prime is ready to perform his Viltrumite duties and prepare his planet to be taken over by the highly-advanced, dictatorial species.

I won't say much else about Conquest's role in Invincible because, you know, spoilers for future seasons. You'll definitely want to prepare yourself for a cataclysmic and incredibly tense season 3 finale, though!

What happens to the remaining multiversal Invincible variants?

"Angstroooooom!" (Image credit: Prime Video)

After their three-day-long, catastrophic attack on Invincible Prime's homeworld, the remaining eight multiversal variants – the other 10 have been killed by Mark and his fellow heroes – regroup at Mark's home at Angstrom's behest. However, when Angstrom says he wants them to bring Invincible Prime to him, they refuse because that wasn't part of the original deal. Cue the octet turning on Angstrom.

Knowing that he's physically outmatched by one Invincible, let alone eight, Angstrom reacts by activating his plan's fail-safe. Opening a portal behind each variant, he uses their spherical drones to push them through said multiversal doorways and maroons them on the desolate version of planet Earth that Angstrom and Invincible Prime fought on in Invincible season 2 part 2's finale. Hey, he says he was going to betray them anyway, so he might as well do so now...

Invincible season 3 episode 7's other heroes explained: Wolf-Man, Brit, Best Tiger, Tech Jacket, and more

'What Have I Done?' is full of Image Comic superhero cameos, such as Wolf-Man (Image credit: Prime Video)

I'll readily admit that I didn't recognize every hero that Global Defence Agency (GDA) chief Cecil Stedman calls on to defend Earth from the 18-strong group of multiversal Invincibles in Invincible season 3's penultimate episode. There are a few, though, that I recognize from the source material, and I'm sure that my fellow Invincible devotees will be delighted by their inclusion in Prime Video's adaptation.

The first – and perhaps most crowd-pleasing – is Wolf Man, who battles one of the variants in what appears to be New York City and winds up winning the contest. Wolf Man is the star of Invincible spin-off comic series The Astounding Wolf-Man, which is another of Image Comics series, and the eponymous hero's real name is Gary Hampton, who was the wealthy CEO of a record company until he was attacked by a werewolf during a family vacation. Now, he uses his abilities to do good, all the while trying to suppress his new-found animalistic instincts.

Jonathan Banks voices Brit in Invincible's TV adaptation (Image credit: Prime Video)

The next most recognizable face is Brit, who's voiced by one of nine new, big-name cast additions for season 3 in Jonathan Banks, who famously portrayed Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

Another Image Comics creation, Brit is a long-time friend of Cecil's who, per the source material, was born sometime before World War One. His abilities include superhuman strength, agility, and reflexes, and decelerated aging. He's also virtually indestructible – indeed, as noted in Invincible's graphic novels and other Image supplementary materials, Brit is immune to all forms of damage and disease. You'd wonder why he's not been used as one of the GDA's first lines of defence before now, then...

Well, this is a deep-cut Image Comics reference! Say hello to Best Tiger, everyone (Image credit: Prime Video)

Three other heroes – two of whom we first saw in Invincible season 2 episode 8 – also appear in 'What Have I Done?'. Kid Thor and Knock-Out are the aforementioned duo, and they're joined by Bolt, another Batman-esque individual who acquired his superhuman abilities after being hit by a lightning bolt, hence his superhero name. The trio appear at the prison where Invincible Prime is fighting Mohawk-vincible, mistake Invincible Prime for one of his multiversal variants, and attack him before they realize the errors of their ways.

But wait, there's more. The biggest deep-cut character in 'What Have I Done?' is arguably Best Tiger. A China-born superhuman, he's essentially Daredevil with guns (he's also not blind – he just covers his eyes with a bandana for the challenge). He possesses superhuman agility, enhanced agility, and is an expert martial artist. He's also an elite marksman so, really, he's a cross between Daredevil and one of his most notorious foes in Bullseye.

Holy crap, it's Tech Jacket! (Image credit: Prime Video)

Last but not least, this episode marks the debut of another key Invincible hero in Tech Jacket. I believe he's the individual who fights one of the Invincibles in space. If I'm right, that means Tech Jacket has actually appeared in Invincible's TV show earlier than he does in the comics.

Anyway, for the uninitiated: Tech Jacket is another Image Comics brand that stars Zack Thompson. One day, the ordinary high-school kid comes across a dying member of the highly-intelligent but physically weak alien race called the Geldarians. To make up for their lack of physicality, each Geldarian is given a Tech Jacket, a technologically-advanced vest that not only turns into a suit of armor when its user is attacked, but also grants the wearer near-invulnerability, super-strength, and the ability to fly and fire lasers.

Knowing its crashed spaceship will kill them both, the dying Geldarian gives its Tech Jacket to Thompson to save his life. Now permanently bound to one of the most powerful devices in the known universe, Thompson becomes a hero in his own right and is soon recruited by The Coalition of Planets to help them in their quest to bring down the Viltrum Empire.

Who are the Technicians in Invincible season 3?

Well, aren't you guys the definition of creepy... (Image credit: Prime Video)

The Technicians are introduced in the first scene of 'What Have I Done?', which takes place in the immediate aftermath of Mark's near-fatal beatdown of Angstrom from season 2 episode 8.

As he does in the comics, Angstrom somehow summons the strength to open one of his portals to the Technicians' laboratory and, after getting their attention, is pulled into their dimension. Despite his absolutely mushed-up face, he tells the Technicians to "fix him", which they duly do.

Alright, but who are they? Again, I'm not going to reveal too much because they continue to play a role in the graphic novels and, by extension, will appear in the show again at some point. All you need to know for now is that the Technicians are cybernetically-enhanced humanoids who hail from another dimension and specialize in the art of body modifications.

After patching up Angstrom, they make a deal with him for reasons I won't ruin here. As Angstrom finds out, it's also best to stay on their good side, too. Indeed, when Angstrom returns after his latest bout with Mark and tells the Technicians to replace the arm he lost – the one that was severed by one of Angstrom's portals when Mark grabbed it as the gateway closed – the trio initially refuse to aid him. He hasn't fulfilled his side of the bargain so, in light of needing their services again, they tell him that he works for them now. I guess Angstrom's one-man crusade against Mark will have to wait!

Invincible's long-running Ka-Hor joke explained

Maybe you'll escape one day, Ka-Hor... (Image credit: Prime Video)

A new season of Invincible wouldn't be complete without a check-in with Ka-Hor, and the R-rated series' latest chapter obliges. Wait, you don't remember who Ka-Hor is? Alright, allow me to explain.

A completely original character for Invincible's animated adaptation, Ka-Hor is a Egyptian mummy who's permanently bound to the tomb he was laid to rest in because of an unknown curse. The only way he can escape is if he binds his soul to a living, male host.

So close, yet so far (Image credit: Prime Video)

Three seasons in and Ka-Hor hasn't been able to leave his crypt. He was almost freed by a present-day worshipper called Zaiem in season 1, but Mark/Invincible accidentally prevented Ka-Hor's escape when he inadvertently caused a sandstorm near Ka-Hor's tomb and trapped Zaiem inside.

In season 2, Ka-Hor's attempts to break out are dealt a blow when the next two individuals to find his tomb are women. Once again, Mark traps them all inside Ka-Hor's burial chamber with another accidental sandstorm.

That brings us onto season 3. During a battle between Immortal and one of the multiversal Invincibles, Ka-Hor's tomb is dealt significant damage when one of Mark's variants crashes into it. Sensing an opportunity to escape, Ka-Hor tries to bind to said Invincible.

Unfortunately for him, he's not strong enough to overpower his potential new host. To make things worse, Immortal and his adversary take their fight elsewhere soon after, which humorously leaves Ka-Hor without another host body. Oh, and the two women he encountered in season 2 finally escape his crypt, too. At least somebody got what they wanted.

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• UK CMA was worried about Microsoft’s involvement in OpenAI
• “OpenAI does not qualify for investigation,” says Authority
• Critics worried about government pressure on CMA

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ended its investigation into Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI and its multibillion-dollar investment into the company behind ChatGPT.

Despite Microsoft investing heavily in the AI startup and having exclusive use of some of its AI products, the CMA has now concluded the partnership has not been problematic.

The watchdog also considered how the companies’ relationship changed during the short period that CEO Sam Altman was fired, then rehired.

UK CMA deems Microsoft-OpenAI partnership healthy

The CMA said yesterday: “The CMA has decided that Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI does not qualify for investigation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002.”

Expanding on its conclusion in a phase one summary, the CMA noted that “no relevant merger situation ha[d] been created,” therefore it did “not ha[ve] to conclude on whether the other criteria for establishing a relevant merger situation [were] met.”

The Authority initiated the probe back in December 2023 because of Microsoft’s involvement in bringing Sam Altman back to OpenAI, but despite Microsoft’s “high level of material influence” over OpenAI, it doesn’t have full control over the company.

The official decision came just one day after the merger inquiry was launched, and critics have argued that political changes and government pressure on regulators to focus on economic growth may have guided the CMA’s conclusion.

Foxglove co-executive director Rosa Curling told the BBC: “This is a bad sign that Big Tech has successfully convinced the prime minister to defang our competition regulator and let Big Tech gobble up the current generation of cutting-edge tech – just like they did the last one.”

Microsoft welcomed the outcome: “Our OpenAI partnership and its continued evolution promote competition, innovation, and responsible AI development, and we welcome the CMA's conclusion, after careful and prudent consideration of the commercial realities, to close its investigation.”

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The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) came into effect on January 17, 2025. Financial services institutions (FSIs) across the EU must now fully comply with its stringent cybersecurity and operational resilience requirements. But achieving compliance is not just about meeting regulatory expectations. DORA represents a fundamental shift in how financial institutions approach digital security, ensuring they can withstand cyber threats, operational disruptions, and third-party vulnerabilities.

For firms that have already established a compliance framework, the focus now moves to long-term resilience and continuous improvement. For those still catching up, the urgency to close security gaps has never been greater. Failing to meet DORA’s requirements carries not only financial penalties but also the risk of operational restrictions and reputational damage. In this new era of cybersecurity regulation, FSIs must go beyond basic compliance measures and embed resilience into their core strategies.

A shift in cyber resilience thinking

For years, financial institutions have relied on traditional cybersecurity approaches, primarily focused on perimeter security to keep external attackers at bay. However, recent cyber incidents have made it clear that threats do not always come from outside an organization. Many damaging breaches have originated from within digital supply chains, through third-party vulnerabilities, or from internal weaknesses. In 2023, third-party attacks led to 29% of breaches with 75% of third-party breaches targeting the software and technology supply chain. This evolving threat landscape has forced financial institutions to rethink their approach. The future of cyber resilience isn’t about building higher walls - it’s about securing every layer, inside and out.

DORA mandates a resilience-first mindset, shifting the focus from prevention alone to a more comprehensive strategy that includes rapid response and recovery. It is no longer enough to defend against cyber threats; organizations must assume that breaches and disruptions will happen and ensure they can respond swiftly and effectively. This change means cybersecurity is no longer just the responsibility of IT management. It is now a board-level priority, requiring CFOs, CIOs, and risk officers to play a direct role in overseeing governance structures, risk assessments, incident response planning, and ongoing security monitoring.

The growing role of automation in compliance

With DORA now in full effect, financial institutions are also navigating additional regulatory frameworks such as the NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), both of which introduce further security and operational resilience requirements. The increasing complexity of compliance is prompting many organizations to turn to automation to streamline regulatory processes.

Okta’s 2024 Businesses at Work report found that data compliance tools were the fastest growing applications with 120% year-on-year growth. As firms seek to reduce the burden on their security teams while ensuring continuous adherence to evolving regulations, the rising popularity of these tools is unsurprising.

Automating security audits, compliance validation, and real-time threat detection allows financial institutions to maintain compliance efficiently while also enhancing their ability to identify and mitigate risks before they escalate into major incidents. In a landscape where regulatory expectations will only become stricter, automation is important for maintaining both security and operational efficiency.

Addressing digital supply chain risks

One of the most pressing concerns for financial institutions under DORA is the security of their digital supply chains. High-profile cyberattacks in recent years have demonstrated that vulnerabilities often originate not from within an organization's own IT infrastructure, but through weaknesses in third-party service providers, cloud platforms, and outsourced IT partners. DORA places a strong emphasis on third-party risk management, making it clear that security responsibility extends beyond a firm’s immediate network.

Ensuring supply chain resilience requires a proactive and continuous approach. FSIs must conduct regular security assessments of all external vendors, ensuring that partners adhere to the same high standards of cybersecurity and risk management. It is no longer sufficient to perform security checks only at the beginning of a partnership; ongoing monitoring and real-world scenario testing are essential to ensure that contingency plans hold up under real conditions. The ability to anticipate and respond to emerging threats within the supply chain is critical to maintaining operational stability and regulatory compliance.

Navigating post-implementation compliance challenges

While many FSIs had operational resilience frameworks in place before DORA’s enforcement date, aligning these existing efforts with the regulation’s EU-wide supervisory structure presents new challenges. Firms that have not been closely following the consultation process may struggle to adapt to these additional requirements.

At this stage, financial institutions must prioritize regular compliance evaluations to ensure that their security frameworks remain aligned with DORA’s evolving mandates. Conducting a gap analysis is critical to identifying areas where improvements are needed. Engaging with regulators, industry bodies, and technology partners can provide valuable insights into best practices and common pitfalls. Additionally, collaboration within the financial sector will be essential, as firms can learn from each other’s experiences and share strategies for maintaining long-term compliance.

The cost of non-compliance

The consequences of failing to comply with DORA are severe. Regulators now have the authority to suspend business operations, issue cease-and-desist orders, and demand access to sensitive data for compliance reviews. For critical third-party service providers, non-compliance could result in financial penalties of up to 1% of their global daily turnover for up to six months - a staggering cost that could significantly impact business operations.

Beyond regulatory penalties, the reputational damage of non-compliance may be even more devastating. The financial sector operates on trust, and any failure to meet cybersecurity standards can lead to a rapid loss of confidence from both consumers and investors. A single security lapse or compliance failure can undermine an institution’s credibility, and once trust is lost, rebuilding it can take years. FSIs must recognize that compliance is not just about avoiding fines - it is about preserving their reputation and long-term viability in an increasingly digital financial ecosystem.

The role of identity security

One of the most effective ways to strengthen cybersecurity resilience under DORA is through identity management (IAM). Research indicates that 80% of cyberattacks originate from compromised credentials, making authentication and access control a top priority for financial institutions.

A robust IAM strategy involves implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), enforcing least-privilege access policies, and continuous monitoring for credential-based threats. The adoption of a zero-trust security model, where no user or system is automatically trusted, further enhances security by ensuring that every access request is verified before granting permissions. As cybercriminals continue to develop more sophisticated attack methods, securing user identities will remain a cornerstone of both regulatory compliance and overall cyber resilience.

An opportunity for long-term resilience

DORA has transformed the cybersecurity landscape for financial services firms. Compliance is no longer a one-time activity - it is an ongoing effort that requires constant adaptation to emerging threats and regulatory updates. Organizations that approach DORA as an opportunity to strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture will be best positioned for success.

FSIs that invest in proactive security strategies today will not only protect themselves from regulatory penalties but will also build stronger, more resilient digital ecosystems. Cyber resilience is now a business imperative, and those that take it seriously will emerge as leaders in the evolving financial landscape. Compliance in itself should not be the security strategy of any organization, but it is a rising tide that raises all ships to a better security foundation to the benefit of all.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

The four non-3D Zen 5-based AMD Ryzen processors top our leaderboard when it comes to price per core.

Data collated at the beginning of March 2025 shows that the 9900X, the 9950X, the 9700X and the 9600X are the most competitive price wise.

The Ryzen 9900X is by far, the most balanced offer of the quartet, with a low TDP per core (just 10W), a high base speed (4.4GHz) and a very reasonable price at $387.75 (or $31.56/core) at the time of writing, almost a quarter cheaper than its suggested retail price.

This is the second of several articles based on data I’ve compiled on 41 AMD Zen 4 and Zen 5 CPUs (socketed, OEM). In the rest of the series, I will be looking at the cost per core, performance per core, AMD CPUs that are getting more expensive, all this with the new Ryzen 9 9900/9950 X3D CPUs in the backdrop.

Not bad for a near-flagship CPU launched less than one year ago. The 9950X has a cost per core slightly higher, at $34.05, but is the fastest consumer CPU that AMD has to offer (until the launch of the 9950X3D).

The table of all the CPUs I have analyzed can be found at the end of this article. They have been sorted by cost per core. Some CPUs are not yet on sale at the time of writing.

A ‘value’ 192-core CPU?

At just over $10,000 from a reputable retailer (Wiredzone), the EYPC 9965 is AMD’s most expensive CPU ever launched and one that I covered extensively in a recent article.

It has 192 cores, which translates into a per-core cost of $52.26; far more than any consumer Ryzen CPUs but still a third of the cost of the most expensive AMD CPU (per core).

It delivers one of the lowest TDP per core (at just 2.6W) and the lowest TDP per GHz* (1.16W), thanks to its Zen 5c architecture, a more compact (but compatible) version of the Zen 5.

Its smaller sibling, the 96-core AMD EPYC 9655, has the largest discount I’ve seen across the 41 CPUs I’ve tracked, with a staggering 56.8% reduction from the sticker price.

It is a full Zen 5 part and as such gets a much higher TDP per core, twice the amount of cache and a faster base speed.

* Lowest TDP per GHz is calculated by taking the CPU TDP and dividng it by the number of cores x the base speed in GHz. It delivers a very rough composite efficiency metric.

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At the other end of the spectrum, the EPYC 9175F is the most expensive AMD CPU per core costing of just under $160, that’s almost 5x that of the 9950X, which shares the same number of cores (16).

The reason why it is so expensive is that it has 32x more cache per core than an average consumer CPU (512MB) and cache is a very, very expensive commodity.

Other F-labelled EPYC CPUs trawl the bottom of my cost per core leaderboard; F stands for Fast and these CPUs are high frequency optimized parts with big cache memory.

One more thing. I’d like to draw your attention to the existence of the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX.

It is the only AMD CPU from this list that you cannot buy as it is available exclusively in workstations from Lenovo, HP and Dell.

What makes it so special for me is its high TDP per core, the highest of all the CPUs I’ve analysed.

At 6.21W, this Zen 4 part is 5.5X more power hungry than the EPYC 9965 (or 3x that of the 9900X, a similar 12-core CPU).

Maybe that’s because it has the highest base speed of any CPU in the list (jointly with the 9800X3D) and is built on an older manufacturing technology.

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Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS: two-minute review

Closer is better when it comes to wildlife photography, and that’s where Sony’s super-telephoto zoom delivers in spades: with a reach of 400-800mm, it’s the longest lens of its kind in Sony’s E-mount lens lineup. Trumping the 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS by a full 200mm at the telephoto end, it sacrifices wide-angle flexibility to give you a significantly tighter shot of distant subjects.

Comparable in many respects to Canon’s RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM, Sony’s super-telephoto is a win for capturing wild and winged creatures. It's less effective in the sports arena though: a slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture makes it harder to work at the kinds of shutter speeds needed to freeze fast-moving subjects, especially in low-light scenarios, and also limits your scope for blurring busy backgrounds.

Still, in bright conditions, the 400-800mm excels. You don’t get the absolute pin-sharp detail of a telephoto prime, but it’s still sharp both throughout the zoom range and across the frame. Effective image stabilization also helps to keep things crisp when shooting handheld, with motion blur only becoming noticeable at the long end. Chromatic aberrations are kept under tight control, too.

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Tipping the scales at the best part of 2.5kg, this is not a lightweight lens. Nor is it small by anyone’s standards, especially with the lens hood attached. Yet Sony has made it a surprisingly manageable telephoto zoom to shoot with. For starters, internal zoom keeps the weight balance relatively centered over the tripod foot, which usefully doubles up as a handle.

Then you’ve got the tactile, accessible controls. With well-judged resistance, the focus ring makes manual adjustments a joy. Similarly, the short throw and smooth action of the zoom ring mean it’s swift and easy to shift through the full spectrum of focal lengths. Add a trio of programmable focus hold buttons, and the 400-800mm becomes a super-telephoto that’s easy to handle.

It’s also a lens with superb focusing skills. This isn’t G Master glass, but you wouldn’t know it from the responsiveness of the autofocus: driven by two precision linear motors, it moves fast and very rarely misses, and only when shooting busy scenes at a serious distance will you need to consider manual fine-tuning. At the wide end of the range, it also has the versatility to focus on subjects just 1.7m away.

This isn’t a perfect lens. Professional wildlife photographers will get better fine detail from a premium telephoto prime, while serious sports coverage requires the faster maximum aperture of something like the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports. But compromise is inevitable with a lens that's designed to cover several bases, and if you want a super-telephoto zoom that gets you closer than any other Sony E-mount glass, the trade-offs here are more than palatable.

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS specs Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS: Design

• Heavy but well-balanced lens
• Robust build with weather seals
• Internal zoom with smooth ring rotation

There’s no escaping the fact that the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS is a hefty lens. At the best part of 2.5kg, you’ll feel its weight when wielding it. That said, it’s not too much bigger than the 200-600mm: it's 358g heavier, 29mm longer and just 8.3mm wider. Those don’t feel like huge trade-offs for the extra reach at the long end, although you will need to invest in costly 105mm front filters.

It helps that Sony has done a good job of balancing the lens. Rather than telescoping out in front, the zoom mechanism is all packaged internally. That keeps the weight distribution fairly consistent, whether you’re shooting handheld or on a tripod. It also means that the zoom control ring only requires a light touch, which contributes to the sense that this is a manageable lens.

So does the tripod foot, which sits pretty squarely beneath the lens and body’s center of gravity. Its collar isn’t removable, but you’ll likely find the foot useful to have more often than not. The design isn’t exactly ergonomic, but the foot makes for a natural handle, both when carrying and framing. The collar can be easily rotated, with markers for landscape and vertical orientation.

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While this isn’t a pro-grade lens, it’s more than robust enough to survive a lifetime of shoots in the wild. Besides its general weightiness, everything feels well-assembled: the barrel is solid, the control rings turn smoothly, and the switches have a nice, affirmative action. Weather seals are there to keep dust and moisture out, too.

Despite its size, Sony has tried to make the 400-800mm an accessible lens. The hood, for example, attaches with a simple button release, and features a sliding window, so you can make filter adjustments without removing it. Around the barrel, three focus-hold buttons sit at 90-degree intervals, and each can be programmed with custom functions. Then you have its stack of five focus and stabilization switches. As heavyweight telephoto zoom lenses go, this is one of the most user-friendly.

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS: Performance

• Fast autofocus with two linear motors
• Relatively slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture
• 1.7m minimum focus distance at 400mm

When it comes to focusing performance, the 400-800mm impresses. Driven by a pair of high-speed linear motors, autofocus is both rapid and reliable, with zero delay between button press and motor response. According to Sony, the telephoto zoom can handle the 120fps maximum burst speeds of the A9 III. We didn’t have Sony’s sports star to hand during testing, but our chosen body – the A1 II – is no slouch, and the 400-800mm had no trouble keeping up.

It’s not immune from the odd miss, particularly when shooting over significant distances, but two features help here. The first is the focus limiter switch, which lets you give the 400-800mm a helping hand. By switching from the full range to one of two restricted modes, based on your distance from the subject, the lens has to hunt around less to find focus.

The second is full-time direct manual focus, which allows you to manually fine-tune focus in any mode by twisting the control ring. There aren’t many occasions where you’ll need to do this, but if the autofocus is having trouble with branches, for example, you’ll find the focus ring has just the right amount of resistance to let you make careful adjustments.

Close focusing is another key selling point of the 400-800mm, with a minimum distance of 1.7m at the wide end. In practice, that lets you get the shot even when your subject is relatively close. 400mm is probably too tight to practically shoot from the sidelines of a sports event, but that distance does mean you can capture small creatures that are near the end of the lens.

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Of course, it’s the super-telephoto number that grabs the headlines – and for good reason: 800mm is a long way in. Compared to a barrel that maxes out at 600mm the extra reach gets you significantly tighter in on your subject, and whether you’re shooting a kingfisher or a kickabout the difference is dramatic.

Almost as important as the range itself is the short throw of the zoom ring, which is optimized for quick shifts in focal length, and has a wonderfully smooth action; the internal zoom mechanism helps here, because the control ring isn’t responsible for telescoping elements. The net result is that it's pretty effortless to move through the full 400-800mm range, and together with the swift autofocus it enables you to readily switch between subjects near and far.

What does hold the 400-800mm back in some scenarios is the slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture. This isn’t an issue in good light, where the lens performs well (see the sample images below). Under darker skies, though, it can struggle to keep up with rapid action, and at the shutter speeds required to freeze movement you’ll need to crank up the ISO setting or risk underexposed stills.

As a result, this isn’t a lens for shooting sports, especially not indoors. Even in the dimmer conditions of undergrowth, it can be a challenge to capture blur-free animal motion.

That slower maximum aperture also makes the lens less effective at blurring backgrounds. It’s not a major issue with leafy scenes or distant backdrops, but it does demand more care when composing against busy settings. At f/5.6-6.3, the 200-600mm has better light-gathering abilities and enables a tighter depth of field.

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Optically, there’s a lot going on inside the 400-800mm. There are 27 elements in 19 groups, six of which are extra-low dispersion, which translates into sharp stills which are pretty much free from chromatic aberrations.

At a pixel level, you’ll get finer results from a telephoto prime, but for a super-telephoto zoom, the 400-800mm exhibits decent sharpness. Detail is crisp at both the center and the edge of the frame, across the full zoom range. Again, the lens delivers its best results in good lighting, where you can work at shutter speeds fast enough to eliminate motion blur.

SteadyShot stabilization helps to keep things sharp. Sony hasn’t published the official rating of its OIS system, but with a trio of modes covering static and panning shots, as well as active subjects shot using the viewfinder, we found it pretty effective at counteracting hand shake. Blur did become noticeable at the extreme end, but panning handheld at 800mm is never going to bag you the sharpest stills.

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Chromatic aberrations are tightly controlled, with just a hint of purple fringing creeping in at super-telephoto focal lengths. Pincushion distortion is minimal, too, leaving you with very little to fix in raw images. The 11-blade aperture diaphragm also produces bokeh smooth enough to satisfy most enthusiasts.

Should you buy the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS? Buy it if...

You’re a bird or wildlife photographer

The spec sheet of the 400-800mm reads like a wish list for bird and wildlife photographers, with rapid autofocus, a long reach, and internal zoom, plus short minimum focus distances at the wide end.

You need maximum telephoto reach

Sony’s longest telephoto zoom to date gets you closer than any other E-mount zoom lens. It has an additional 200mm on Sony’s next-longest telephoto, which gets you significantly closer to the action.

You want easy zooming and focusing

Internal zoom contributes to a smooth control ring action, while a relatively short rotational range lets you move easily through focal lengths. Full-time direct manual focusing means precision adjustments are slick and quick, too.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a sports photographer

With a slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture, the 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS struggles to keep up with action on dull days. Indoors or in low lighting, it’s simply not fast enough for sports.

You’re happy with a shorter reach

If you shoot relatively close to your subjects or simply don’t need the extra reach at the telephoto end, you’ll find better value in the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS.

You don’t want an unwieldy lens

Its zoom range might be unrivalled, but there’s no escaping the fact that the 400-800mm is a large and weighty lens. Internal zoom makes it easier to handle, but 2.5kg is still a lot to carry.

How I tested the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS

• I used the lens extensively for a week
• I paired it with the Sony A1 II
• I tested it in a range of scenarios

Sony only made the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS available for a short loan period, so I made the most of my week with it. I was blessed with a several days of clear skies and winter sun, allowing me to test the telephoto zoom in ideal conditions.

Given the lens's wildlife credentials, animals were obviously a focus of my test shots. That said, I also made sure to assess its capabilities as a sports lens, shooting on-track action at the Goodwood motorsports circuit near my home in the UK. To be thorough, I also shot architectural details, flowers, and a handful of portraits.

Paired with a Sony A1 II, I took the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS on several walks to get a good understanding of how easy it was to move and shoot with the lens handheld, taking into account not just its weight, but also its full complement of controls, as well as the collar.

• First reviewed March 2025

In a world where Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping the global business landscape, mastering faster decision-making at the right time at the right pace has become a crucial competency for leaders seeking to maintain a competitive edge. GenAI is rapidly becoming an integral part in business operations, driven by its ability to streamline processes, enhance effectiveness, improve competitiveness, and lead to significant cost reductions and revenue enhancements.

According to a recent IDC report, enterprise spending on GenAI globally will grow by 30% in 2024 – $40 billion from an estimated US$16 billion in 2023. Spending is also expected to swell to more than $150 billion by 2027, with the banking, retail, and professional services industries being the top spenders. This spending is bound to increase significantly beyond the estimates in coming years.

The latest developments in the field include the broad adoption from open public models to private models to pre-trained open source AI models to untrained open source and custom models. The significant investments are in both infrastructure and AI-enhanced products and services.

Enterprises are moving beyond initial experiments with GenAI and towards aggressive infrastructure and trained data model building, aiming for a transformation that integrates GenAI at the core of digital business activities. This strategic integration is expected to provide a competitive edge and catalyze a shift towards more dynamic, efficient, and innovative business environments.

For business leaders, the challenge now lies not just in adopting these technologies but in integrating GenAI with human intuition to optimize faster and right decision-making processes. This nuanced approach ensures that businesses keep pace with technological changes and stay ahead of their competitors. Understanding and harnessing the power of GenAI is essential for any organization aiming to thrive in this transformative era.

Strategic Implications of GenAI

GenAI stands distinct with its ability to create new content, ranging from text to images, from existing data sets, a stark contrast to other AI technologies that primarily analyze or interpret data. This capability positions GenAI as a revolutionary technology in enhancing business strategy, across global tech giants. 

In marketing, for instance, GenAI enables the creation of highly personalized content that resonates with diverse customer segments, dramatically improving engagement rates. Product development also benefits from GenAI as it can suggest innovative product features or designs by analysing current market trends and consumer feedback. Moreover, in customer service, it enhances responsiveness and personalization, as seen in AI chatbots that provide real-time, context-aware solutions to customer queries. These examples illustrate significant efficiency gains and competitive advantages, marking GenAI as a transformative force across business functions. 

One significant example of strategic implication of GenAI is in the telecommunications industry where it helps to optimize network performance and management. GenAI models analyze vast amounts of data from network operations, including traffic patterns, equipment health, and historical performance metrics. These models can simulate various scenarios to predict potential network failures or degradations before they occur.

GenAI plays a crucial role by creating synthetic datasets and simulations that mirror real-world network conditions. This allows telecom operators to test and validate maintenance strategies, capacity planning, and network upgrades without disrupting actual service. By simulating different traffic loads and failure conditions, AI can recommend optimal configurations and preemptive actions, leading to reduced downtime, improved service quality, and cost savings on emergency repairs. The predictive insights generated by AI ensure that the network remains resilient and capable of handling increasing data demands.

Challenges in AI-driven Decision-Making

Integrating GenAI into business decision-making processes presents nuanced challenges, necessitating a balanced approach to utilizing AI outputs. In complex scenarios, the efficacy of GenAI hinges on the model’s training adequacy. If a model is not sufficiently trained for a specific task, human intervention becomes crucial, as human expertise can surpass undertrained AI models in navigating intricate decisions. Conversely, when models are well-trained, they can outperform humans by delivering consistent and data-driven insights at scale.

Therefore, the integration of GenAI requires astute judgment to discern when to rely on AI and when to defer to human judgment. This balance ensures that decision-making processes harness the strengths of both AI and human intelligence, leveraging AI for efficiency and precision, while capitalizing on human intuition and experience in areas where AI’s training may fall short. This nuanced approach is essential for maximizing the potential of GenAI in business contexts.

Another notable challenge associated with integrating GenAI into business decision-making processes is data privacy. GenAI systems require vast amounts of data to train and operate effectively. This reliance on large data sets raises concerns about compliance with global data protection regulations such as GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California, which mandate strict guidelines on data usage, storage, and privacy. In the telecommunications industry, GenAI could be used to analyze customer call data to improve service offerings or personalize marketing strategies.

However, this data often contains sensitive personal information. Ensuring that GenAI applications comply with data protection laws requires robust anonymization techniques and secure data handling practices. Failing to adhere to these regulations can result in substantial fines and damage to the organization's reputation, illustrating the complexity and risk associated with deploying GenAI in sectors with stringent privacy requirements. There are multiple data masking and data anonymization solutions available in the market which needs to be applied if there are PII in the data before using them for training the models.

To navigate these complexities, leaders must stay abreast of the latest developments in GenAI by engaging with ongoing education, participating in industry forums, and fostering partnerships with AI ethics boards. By doing so, they can implement GenAI's capabilities responsibly and effectively, ensuring that their strategic decisions are both innovative and ethically sound. 

Embracing the Epoch of GenAI: A Strategic Imperative 

In the vanguard of technological evolution, the strategic integration of GenAI stands as a linchpin for redefining decision-making and operational efficiency within forward-looking businesses. This leap towards GenAI adoption is not merely an enhancement but a transformative shift that sets enterprises apart in today's competitive landscape. 

To harness GenAI’s full capabilities, establishing a solid business case is crucial before implementation. This involves identifying key objectives and anticipated benefits aligned with business goals. Conducting a Proof of Concept (PoC) or pilot project helps validate GenAI’s potential, demonstrating tangible results and addressing any challenges. By doing so, businesses can ensure a strategic, well-informed adoption of GenAI, optimizing its impact and value.

In a nutshell, diving into GenAI isn't just about keeping up with the latest tech trends. It's about seizing an opportunity to redefine how your business operates, making decisions smarter and faster than ever before. The future is about those who adapt, and with GenAI, that future is bright.

We've compiled an extensive list of the best AI tools.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

We’ve reached a point of obfuscated redundancy in the auto space. Many manufacturers pushing out new models incorporate aspects calling on Tesla’s minimalism – but that means the axing of many important things, like the instrument cluster, tactile buttons and dials, and a focus on customization in the infotainment system, with this trend more noticeable in the EV space. Among the axing of supposed non-essentials is the humble full-size spare tyre – which is why it’s cause for celebration whenever it returns.

The Chery Omoda E5, sold in the UK as simply the Omoda E5 and originating from China, is the car we’re celebrating today. I was diplomatic in my initial impressions article on the E5, noting that it’s likely a better fit for value-savvy Aussies than Britons, who have a greater variety at the car’s price point. It lacks a competitive angle on driving comfort, boot capacity, and DC recharge time, though its price to range ratio is considerable and the features offered in the slightly more expensive trim are notable.

Across both trims in Australia and the UK, there is one standout feature – the full-sized spare tyre. There’s also the expected internal space for it to be stored under the boot mat in the back.

A spare tyre is a rarity among new cars, especially for EVs. It’s a feature only typically found in cars built for off-roading lifestyles, such as heavy-duty SUVs and utes, but you’ll find exceptions here and there, like the 2022 Subaru BRZ.

But it should be a greater consideration for drivers and manufacturers alike. Roadside assistance, though often reliable, especially for drivers who may not be comfortable repairing a spare on the roadside, can often be time consuming when your car is capable of carrying a spare. So let’s talk about why it’s great that the Omoda E5 has included it.

Spare a spare?

(Image credit: Behold! The spare tyre found in the Chery Omoda E5. Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The spare tyre is an inclusion that has largely been lost over time, with the argument often going that the space is better used to improve volume capacity, that it adds room for a larger battery or fuel tank, or that it adds unnecessary weight. Of the more than 30 EVs I’ve reviewed, only two have featured a full-sized spare tyre – the Omoda E5 and the 2024 Hyundai Kona EV (though there are a handful of other EVs offering spares).

I’m not going to fly in the face of removing redundancy, but a spare tyre is the furthest thing from it. This is the kind of thing where the term ‘have it and not need it, rather than need it and not need it’ applies.

The most common argument against the provisioned spare tyre is that it’s unnecessary. In many cases, a space–saver tyre is enough to get the job done, or a puncture repair kit would suffice.

A puncture repair kit will only work for holes smaller than 3mm (per Drive, who interviewed a former roadside assistance mechanic on the topic), and even then, the tyre may have been further damaged by driving at low pressure. Meanwhile, a space saver limits your speed to 80km/h (49mph) and can only be used for a short distance. These are solutions that could work in the city, but are unideal if you live far out from town.

Within reason, tyres can be repaired for general road use after a tread puncture, but a puncture to the tyre wall is often unlikely to be repairable. A full-size spare tyre gives the owner greater agency over their car. As it’s specced in-line with the rest of the car’s tyres, it can be fitted and used ongoing as if things were normal – though it would be best to replace (or repair the spare) at your earliest convenience.

But obviously roadside assistance can be preferred. People who are less nimble might not want to bend their back to get the wheel out of the back of the car, or might not want to kneel down to replace the tyre if it’s too heavy.

Getting by sparingly

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

It’s hard to think of a spare tyre as anything less than necessary in rural and regional areas. You can get by in cities where a puncture repair kit or space-saver could be relied on for a short distance, but places like regional New South Wales in Australia may not have a tyre shop or mechanic for a great distance.

And to give yourself peace of mind on the road, especially if you live far out of town or are roadtripping, it’s probably not a bad idea to pick up a compatible full-size spare tyre, to save yourself from calling up roadside assistance.

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Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 6.

The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress, and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.

(Image credit: Jose Luis Magana/AP)

A U.S. appeals court has sided with the administration in allowing the removal of Hampton Dellinger from the Office of Special Counsel. The office investigates actions like whistleblower retaliation.

(Image credit: Win McNamee)

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 368 for March 6.